Bhubaneswar: Odisha Government is promoting Ecotourism in a big way for which footfalls are on rise.
This year, income generated till now is Rs.3.36 Crores and 21,531 tourists visited different Nature Camps.
ACS Forest & Environment, SatyabrataSahu presented details in the National Conference of Environment Ministers held in EktaNagar , Gujarat on 23-24 September.
Team Odisha led by Mr.Sahu said that Department of Forest Environment and Climate Change is the Nodal Agency for development of Ecotourism in the state.
State Government is promoting community based Ecotourism, which was launched in the state during 2016-17
In the beginning, only 14 Ecotourism destinations were functioning in the state.
Footfall of Visitors was 11500 and income generated Rs.1.57 Crores during 2016-17.
At present, there are 47 Ecotourism destinations covering 18 Districts of the State with accommodation capacity of 785 Eco-tourists for night stay.
70,216 Eco-tourists visited different Nature Camps and income generated is 10.51 Crores during 2021-22.
632 Eco Development Committee(EDC), VanaSurakshyaSamiti (VSS) and Eco-Tourism Group (ETG) Members are directly benefited for their livelihood.
Online booking facility through website www.ecotourodisha.com
“Odisha Ecotourism Society” has been formed by Government for strengthening institutional arrangement for management of Ecotourism.
In fact Odisha is the land of famed forests, mountains, valleys, waterfalls, gorges, soaring peaks with stunning wildlife in their own natural habitats.
The important wildlife in State are Elephants, Tigers, Leopards,Hyena, Sambar, Spotted Deer, Wild Boar, Giant Squirrel, Crocodile, Jungle Cats, Hornbills, many migratory birds etc.
A total of 110 species of reptiles including three crocodilian species, 20 species of amphibians, 479 species of birds, 86 species of mammals have been recorded so far in the State.
For Nature tourists looking to experience wild landscapes in a sustainable way, from Camping to Eco-Resorts,from trekking to birding, from sightseeing to boating,Odisha offers something for everyone and the only thing surpasses the natural beauty of the State.
In the meantime four Ramsar Sites of Wetland of International Importance has been declared in Odisha, said ACS Mr.Sahu.
Those are Satkosia Gorge, HirakudReservoir,Ansupa Lake and Tampara Lake.
SatkosiaGorge is carved out of the River Mahanadi, which is 22 Kilometer in length.
This George is rich inbiodiversity, houses Gharials, Mugger, and Rare freshwater turtles. Thegorge is located within the Satkosia Tiger Reservoir, which is a UnitedNations Protected area.
HirakudReservoir is the largest manmade earthen dam Reservoir, its shoreline runs through theDebrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary, which is house to the endangered Mahseer Fish. CattleIsland is situated inside the reservoir, which is inhabited by wild animals.
Third is Ansupa Lake in Cuttack district, is the largest freshwater lake. House to many endangered bird species and alsofish species, an important tourist destination in Odisha.
Fourth is Tampara Lake in Ganjam and this Water Body is created due to the subsidence of the landmass.
Tampara is important Ecotourism destination and rich in Bio-diversity and also supports livelihood to the localstakeholders.